VA employees to protest position downgrades

Many Veteran Affairs Department workers and federal employee union members are unhappy with recent position downgrades and are taking to the streets to air their frustration.

Hundreds of VA workers and members of the American Federation of Government Employees plan to rally in front of the White House on June 13 at 11:30 a.m., according to a release from AFGE.

The protesters from health care facilities across the nation are opposing what they call groundless and arbitrary position downgrades of those providing critical support services within VA. Those downgrades are hurting veterans’ care, the group says..

“VA employees have a target on their back,” Alma Lee, AFGE National VA Council president, said in a statement. “The agency has spent the past two years devastating the lives of modest-wage earners who play a crucial role in supporting medical center functions within the VA.”

The council has called for a suspension on the lowering of these positions. VA hasn’t been able to show how the downgrades of VA support personnel would enhance the agency’s function or its ability to serve veterans, AFGE said.

About the Author

Camille Tuutti is a former FCW staff writer who covered federal oversight and the workforce.